Gas lighting or extinguishing apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. J. SANGSTER. GAS LIGHTING OR EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

No. 498,492.. Patented May 30, 1893.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. SANGSTER; GAS LIGHTING OR EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS. No. 498,492.

Patented May 30', 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES SANGSTER, OF BUFFALO, NEIV YORK.

GAS LIGHTING OR EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,492, dated May 30, 1893.

Application filed December 2'7, 1892. Serial No. 45 6,447. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES SANGSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas Lighting or Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, and more particularly to that class of gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus wherein a variation of the pressure in the main is utilized in the operations of lighting and extinguishing.

In carrying out my invention I employ in addition to the usual gas supply pipe and burner a pressure operated valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner and, by preference, an electrical gas igniting device for each burner, which device is included in a local circuit normally open and having a circuit closer which is actuated either directly or indirectly by the said variations in pressure.

All the lamps supplied from a common main, and having the devices above described, may be lighted or extinguished practically at the same instant; but if it be desired to light or extinguish the gas at different lamps at different times, this may also be accomplished by arranging the valves to respond to different pressures, those operating with the lowest increase in pressure being first lighted or extinguished.

Simplicity of construction and certainty of operation are the essential requirements of a successful gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, and it is to the attainment of these two essential features that my invention is chiefly directed. To secure the first I make use of a small number of moving parts and these are preferably so arranged as to be actuated positively and, so far as possible, by mechanical, instead of electrical means. 1 have discarded electrically operated parts Wherever possible, and such as I employ are of simple constructiomand the work of these parts is toignite the gas jet.

To secure certainty of operation the apparatus must be so constructed that its moving parts will be protected from interference due to changes in temperature or other climatic conditions. To this end I prefer to have all moving parts protected by means of some non-congealable liquid, preferably mercury, and I am enabled to attain these desirable ends and at the same time utilize said protecting liquid to provide a seal against the leakage of gas.

My invention may be embodied in Various forms of construction and vary also in the details of operation, but the principle features of the invention will-be found embodied in the several forms which I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment of my invention I employ a receptacle or tank, which is mounted upon the gas supply pipe and adapted to contain a sealing liquid and having a gas passage registering with the supply pipe. An inverted cup, which carries a valve, is movably mounted in an inverted position over the gas passage in the tank, the edge of the cup being submerged in the liquid which forms the seal. lhe gas is thus admitted to the lower side of the cup and pressure is constantly exerted thereon. Upon this movable cup, which is preferably hinged at one edge to the tank, I mount a burner.

A prolongation of the burner tube is adapted to serve as a valve by seating itself in ashallow well formed in the tank bottom and containing mercury. This valve,when submerged in the mercury, prevents the passage of gas to the burner tip. \Vhen the gas pressure is now increased sufliciently to overcome the weight of the cup, it causes an upward tilting or rocking thereof. The pressure required to overcome the weight of the cup I term an operative increase of pressure. Upon an operative increase in the gas pressure the cup is raised and the prolongation of the burner tube lifted out of the mercury, thus permitting the gas to flow to the burner tip.

A latching device is applied to the cup, preferably on its side opposite its pivot, said latching device being also submerged in the mercury, and adapted to sustain the cup in its elevated position so as to permit the flow of gas to the burner, while upon a second operative increase in pressure the latching mechanism will be released and permit the cup to descend to its normal position and the valve will out off the supply of gas to the burner.

The electric igniting apparatus consists of ICO a battery, conductor and lighting device. The lighting device may be of any of the approved forms. The one I have shown is described in Patent No. 359,053,in which the sparking coil and armature are arranged concentric to the gas passage and the electrodes are arranged in proximity to the opening of the burner tip. The battery will be preferably located within the hollow of the base of the gas post, or underneath the ground in proximity thereto, and one pole thereof will be connected through the gas supply pipe and metal parts mounted thereon with one of the spark producing electrodes, while the other electrode will be joined to the opposite pole of the battery through a suitable wire or wires carried upon, but insulated from, the gas supply pipe and said metal parts.

The gas supply pipe, metal parts, sparking device and wires are hereinafter designated as the conductor and there is a break in said conductor and preferably in the wire forming a part thereof although it may be in some other part of the conductor.

The circuit is normally open and a circuit closer of simple form and comprising two contacts, one mounted upon but insulated from the tank and the other likewise mounted upon the cup, is actuated by the movement of the cup under an operative increase of pressure in the gas main,to close the electrical circuit thereby igniting the gas by means of the sparking device.

While the above is a preferred form of construction I may support the igniting device and the burner tip upon different parts and move either toward the other by the gas pressure for the purpose of bringing the igniting device and the burner tip within lighting proximity. By this means no part of the lighting device is within the influence of the flame except during the period of ignition.

As an auxiliary to or substitute for the electrical igniting apparatus shown, I have provided means whereby a pilot light may be maintained for igniting the full volume of gas when admitted to the burner tip. This pilot light may be maintained at the burner tip by means of an opening or thief which will permit a small amount of gas to pass from the supply pipe to the burner tip, or the pilot light may be maintained in proximity to the burner tip at the end of a loy-pass pipe communicating with the supply pipe. The pilot light would be used in lieu of the electric igniting device onlyduring such portions of the year when freezing or moisture upon the movable parts of the igniting device would prevent its proper operation, and therefore a suitable plug for the opening or bypass is provided.

It will be understood that the increase of pressure whereby the cup is actuated is temporary only, and therefore some means for sustaining said movable member in its raised position becomes essential. To this end I employ what I term a latching mechanism and although the form of the latching mechanism may be considerably varied, I have shown a novel construction. It comprises a pin secured to the movable cup and which pin is adapted to ride in a heart shaped cam slot formed in a pivoted cam, said slot being of such shape that upon the upward movement of the pin the cam is swung upon its pivot and upon a reduction sufficient to permit the cup to descend, the pin bears upon the cam and rides upon one surface thereof to a suitable seat wherein it is sustained, thereby upholding the movable cup. In this position it remains while the light is maintained. Then it is desired to extinguish the light the pressure is again operatively increased, the cup is raised, the pin passes out of its seat, again engages one of the surfaces of the cam turning it still farther upon its pivot, and upon a reduction of pressure the cup descends by gravity and the pin and cam are returned to their original positions. The pivots of the cup, its lower edge and the latching mechanism are submerged in mercury and thus protected from the action of frost or interference by foreign substances.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention consists, broadly, in a novel means for controlling the flow of gas to the burner tip; in the combination with said means of cont-rolling the gas of an igniting apparatus which may be electrical or mechanical; in the combination with said gas controlling and electrical igniting device of an auxiliary lighting device and, my invention consists, further, in certain novel devices and combinations of devices, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation through a lamp post, a portion of the lamp connected with it, and of the earth work in which it is secured, showing the battery, electric connections and sparking device in position. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the simplest form of construction, showing a sparking device mounted on the burner. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the form of construction in which the sparking device is mounted upon the tank, and showing also a suitable circuit forming and breaking device, and a by-pass pipe for maintaining a pilot light. Fig. at is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. is an elevation of the burner tip and part of its tube, a by-pass pipe and a central sectional elevation of the tank, cup and cam. Fig. 6 is a front clevation of the movable cam of the latching mechanism; and Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section through the cam on or about the line 77 of Fig. 6 and through a portion of the tank. Fig. Sis a diagram illustrating different positions of the cam.

In the drawings, 10 represents the gas post, the base of which extends into a sub-surface chamber 11 having a man hole 12, and the base of the post having a door 13 through which the battery may be placed.

1a represents the gas supply pipe which is threaded at its upper end for connection with the base of the tank 15. This tank is constructed preferably of cast iron, but any other suitable material may be used that will hold mercury or other equivalent seal liquid for maintaining a gas tight joint. The inner bottom of the tank 15 is formed on an incline, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and upon said inclined portion there is secured an inner tank 16 with an interposed layer of wax or other material 17, the screw 18 firmly binding the inner and outer tanks together. This construction provides a narrow marginal liquid chamber 19 which will preferably be filled with mercury 20. By forming the bottom of the tanks upon an incline it will be observed that the rear portion of said chamber is made shallower than the front,the object being to effect a saving in the quantity of mercury used and at the same time provide for submerging the edge of the cup, its pivot and latching mechanism in the mercury.

21 represents a gas passage through the bottoms of the inner and outer tanks and the bottom of the inner tank has a shallow well 22 therein, which is also filled with mercury. The inner tank may be omitted provided that the bottom of the outertank be so constructed as to prevent the mercury from entering the gas passage. A simple tube rising above the bottom of the tank would serve.

23 represents an inverted cup having its vertical walls truncated corresponding to the incline of the bottoms of the tanks, and the edge of this cup is submerged in the mercury 20. This cup is preferably pivoted at its rear side to the tank upon the transverse pivot pins 2at25.

26 represents the burner supply tube, and 27 the burner tip.

It will be observed that the supply tube 26 is formed integrally with the cup and is arranged at an angle to the top thereof so that when the cup is down said pipe 26 will incline forward, and when it is raised into position for use the tube is in a substantially vertical position. The burner supply tube has an extension or prolongation 28, the lower open end of which dips into the mercury in the shallow well, 22; and thus is provided a seal to cut off the flow of gas to the burner tip. If the inner tank be omitted the prolongation. 28 may dip into the main body of mercury.

I have shown the tank and cup as substantially square in outline. This form is preferred for the cup as it affords a large area for the gas to act upon and a convenient means for cheaply, accurately and securely pivoting the cup to the tank.

The operation of that part of the invention so far described, briefly stated, is as follows: The same gas pressure which is normally maintained in the gas main is constantly exerted upon the under side of the cup, but the latter is of such weight, or so weighted, as not to be affected by this normal or ordinary pressure. However, the cup is constructed and adjusted so that a slight increase of the gas pressure above normal will lift it. I designate the amount of pressure required to operate the cup the operative pressure. When the cup is in its lowest position the downward prolongation of the burner tube dips into the mercury contained in the tank well and thus prevents the gas from flowing through the burner tube; but when the cup is raised by the increased pressure of the gas in the pipes it lifts the said prolongated burner tube clear of the mercury and the gas flows uninterruptedly from the supply pipe to the burner tip. Obviously, upon a reduction in the operative pressure the cup would descend unless some means were provided for maintainingit in its raised position. The means which I have employed comprise a latching mechanism consisting of a pin 30 carried by the cup and a pivoted cam 31 mounted within a lateral enlargement of the tank 15. The form of this cam is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. The pivot pin of the cam is marked 32 and a spring 33 presses the cam against the wall of the tank and holds the cam by friction in any position to which it. may be moved, one end of the spring being fixed and the other bearing upon the cam. The cam has a substantially heart shaped groove, and one lobe of which is higherthan the other and the inner wall of the cam slot at the top of the cam is constructed to provide a seat for the pin.

The operation of the cam is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, and the letters A, A, A and A showing different positions thereof. hen the cup is in the position in which the supply of gas to the burner is cut off the pin 32 will be at the bottom of the cam slot as shown at A. \Vhen the construction is as above shown and described the pin will always move in a substantially vertical plane and this plane is indicated in Fig. 8 by the line OZ-JC. Therefore, when the gas pressure in the main is increased to such an extent as to lift the cup, the pinwill pass upwardly through the groove on theleft side of the cam and contact with the wall of that portion of the slot through which it is moving, and rock the cam on its pivot until it takes the position shown in A, wherein the pin will rest in the highest portion of the groove and the upward movement of the cup will be arrested. \Vhen the pressure is reduced the cup descends by gravity and its pin will strike the inner wall of the slot and cause the cam to be rocked still farther on its pivot until the pin comes to rest in theseat formed in the upper part of said inner wall, as shown at A The cup is supported in this position until the next operative rise in thepressure of the gas which will cause the pin to again move upward perpendicularly from the position shown in A In its upward movement the pin will engage the outer wall of the cam slot deflecting the cam still farther in the direction of its original movement until it assumes the position shown at A I/Vhen the pressure of the gas is reduced the weight of the cup will cause it to move downward, the pin descending through the slot on the opposite side of the cam, to its initial position, and by reason of its contact with the outer wall of the slot at that side of the cam causing the latter to assume its original position.

The object in making one lobe of the cam slot higher than the other is to permit the cup to tip back sufficiently during its first actuation to form an electric contact; while in the second actuation, which is simply to extinguish the light, the cup is tipped back sufficiently to permit the pin to descend but it is not permitted to tip back far enough to make the electric connection, and thereby battery energy is conserved.

The electric igniting apparatus of each lamp will be included within a local circuit to which current is supplied from a battery 34, which I prefer to place in the hollow of the base of the post below the surface of the ground so as to thoroughly protect it from frost. This battery may be of any approved form and will supply current to a sparking device such as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The sparking device shown in Fig. 2 comprises an electro-magnet (marked 35) and is arranged concentric to the burner tube. Projecting from the coil of this magnet is a wire 36 which extends to the binding post 37 mounted upon but insulated from the cup 23. 38 is a contact making spring. 39 is a second contact piece which is mounted upon but insulated from the tank 15. From the binding post of the contact piece 39 wire 40 leads to one pole of the battery. The opposite pole of the battery is connected, preferably through the gas supplypipe and the other metal parts, to a movable electrode 41 which is secured to the armature B. The latter is pivoted at b and is normally thrust away from the magnet by a spring. This construction is fully described in said Patent No. 359,053, and the structural features thereof do not form a part of my invention. By this means the electrode 42 is adapted to be depressed by the attraction of the armature. The electrode il is seated upon spring 42 whereby it is normally thrust into contact with the fixed electrode 41. The fixed electrode is connected with the spool.

The operation of the device above described is as followsz-Upon an operative increase of the gas pressure the cup 23 carrying the burner tip and lighting device will be raised or tilted upon its pivot, thus raising the prolongation 28 of the burner tube out of the well 22, opening a passage for the gas to the ace r92 burner tip. During this movement an electric circuit will be closed bythe impingement of the spring contact 38 upon the contact 39. The closing of the electrical circuit energizes the magnet of the sparking device causing, in connection with the spring, rapid reciprocation of the movable electrode, thus throwing a succession of sparks into the gas issuing from the burner tip and igniting the gas. The pressure being now reduced, the cup descends until arrested by the latching mechanism, by which it is maintained in position to permit the flow of gas to the burner for maintaining the light. The circuit is broken by the separation of the contacts due to the downward movement of the cup following the reduction of pressure and thus the electric energy is used only during the brief interval required to ignite the gas. The position of the cup and burner tube, when the light is extinguished, is indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, by the full lines, while the lighting position of the burner is shown by dotted linesin Figs. 2 and 3, and the position of use is most clearly shown by the full lines in Fig. 2. "When itis desired to extinguish the gas, the pressure is again slightly increased above the normal and the cupis tilted sufficiently to release the latching mechanism, and upon a reduction of pressure the cup returns to its original position and the supply of gas is cut off by the submersion of the open end of the tube 28 in the mercury contained in the well 22.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the sparking device mounted upon the tank and the burner tip is rocked into lighting proximity to the electrodes, as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3 nearest the electrodes. An advantage of this construction is that the electrodes are without the influence of the flame of the jet, except during ignition. The principle of the device is the same as that involved in the previously described construction. In Fig. 3 the form of the circuit closer and the arrangement of the electrodes are also slightly different.

In some latitudes, and in certain seasons of the year in others, the operation of an electric igniting device may become unreliable owing to the condensation of moisture and frost upon the movable parts. It may be found expedient therefore to substitute for or to use as an auxiliary to this electric igniting device a torch or pilot light, and this maybe of any approved construction.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the prolongation 28 of the burner tube provided with a minute perforation or thief 28 through which gas may escape to the burner tip in sufficient quantity to maintain a light. In the same figure I have shown a bypass pipe 43, whose upper end is carried into position to ignite the gas issuing from the burner tip when the latter is moved by the ignitingpressure. Said by-pass is provided with a cock 4st. A minute flame may be maintained at the burner tip or at the end of the by-pass constantly during certain seasons of the year, and during ether seasons the flow of gas through the by-pass will be cut off by turning the cock or by closing the aperture 28.

It Will be understood that the aperture in the tube 28 and the bypass pipe are alternative devices, and Where one is employed the other need not be.

While I prefer to employ a lighting device having sparking electrodes, whereby a succession of sparks are thrown into the gas for igniting it, it is obvious that a wire or spongy platinum may be substituted for the sparking electrodes. Such Wire or spongy platinum can be heated to incandescence by the resistance they offer to'the passage of the electric current therethrough.

I claim as my invention 1. In an apparatus for automaticallylighting and extinguishing gas, the combination with a gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage to the burner and adapted to be opened by an operative variation of gas pressure to permit the flow of gas, and means for sustaining the valve open until another variation of pressure whereby the sustaining means is released and the valve permitted to close and thus cut off the flow of gas,substantially as described.

2. In an electric gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a pivoted gravity valve adapted to be actuated by an operative variation of gas pressure to control the flow of gas to the burner, means for sustaining said valve in the open position and means for igniting the'gas comprising a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein and a circuit closer operated by a variation in the gas pressure whereby to establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, and a subsequent operative variation of the gas pressure serving to release the valve and permit it to descend and cut off the supply of gas, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the combination with a gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity valve constantly exposed to the gas pressure and normally closing the passage and adapted to be raised by an operative variation of the gas pressure to permit the flow of gas, a latching mechanism to sustain the valve in its open position, and said latching mechanism being adapted to release the valve upon a subsequent variation of pressure whereby the valve is permitted to descend and cut off the flow of gas, substantially as described.

t. In an apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the combination with the gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity velve normally closing the passage, said burner being mounted upon said Valve mechanism and said valve being adapted to be opened by an operative variatlon of the gas pressure, latchingmechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position and said latching mechanism being adapted to be released by a subsequent variation of the gas pressure to permit the valve to descend and out off the flow of gas, substantially as described.

5. In agaslighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of said pipe, a burner mounted upon the valve and said valve being adapted to be opened by a temporary increase of the gas pressure to permit the flow of gas to the burner, and an igniting device comprlsing a battery, a lighting device, a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein, and a circuit closer operated by the valve whereby to cstablishan electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, and a latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open positlon after an operative increase in gas pressure and being adapted for release upon a subsequent operative variation of the gas pressure to permit the valve to descend and cut off the supply of gas, substantially as described.

6. In a gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of said pipe, a burner mounted upon the valve and said valve being adapted to be raised by an operative increase of the gas pressure, a latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position, and means for igniting the gas comprising asparking device, a battery, a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the sparking device, said conductor having a break therein, and a circuit closer having a movable member thereof mounted upon the valve and adapted when the latter is raised to close an electrical circuit through the sparking device to ignite the gas, said latching mechanism being adapted for release upon a subsequent operative variation of the gas pressure to permit the valve to descend and cut off the supply of gas, substantially as described.

7 In an electric gaslighting apparatus, the combination with a directly pneumatically controlled valve adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure to permit the flow of gas to the burner, of means forigniting the gas, said means comprising a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein and a circuit closer operated by a variation of the gas pressure IOC whereby to establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, substantially as described.

8. In an electric gaslighting apparatus, the combination with a gravity valve adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure to permit the flow of gas tothe burner, of means for lighting the gas, said means comprising a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein and a circuit closer operated by a variation of the gas pressure whereby to establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, substantially as described.

9. In an electric gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a pivoted gravity valve adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure to permit the flow of gas to the burner, of means for igniting the gas, said means comprising a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the light.- ing device, said conductor having a break therein and a circuit closer operated by a variation of the gas pressure whereby to establish an electrical circuit through thelighting device to ignite the gas, substantially as described.

10. In means for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the combination with a'gas supply pipe, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of said pipe, said valve being adapted to be opened by an operative variation in the gas pressure, a latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position and an igniting device arranged adjacent to the burner and adapted to ignite the gas when the valve is rocked on its pivot, and said latching mechanism being adapted to be released by a subsequent operative variation of the gas pressure whereby to permit the valve to descend and cut off the supply of gas, substantially as described.

11. In means for lighting gas, the combination with a gas supply pipe, burner and valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric gasigniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit and a suit able circuit closer operated by variations of gas pressure, and said lighting device and burner being movable with relation to each other and adapted to be brought into lighting proximity by an operative increase of gas pressure to effect ignition and to be separated upon a change of said pressure whereby the lighting device is Without the influence of the flame during the maintenance of the light, substantially as described.

12. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with the gas supply pipe, of. a valve for controlling the flow of gas, said valve being adapted to be opened by an operative increase in gas pressure, a movable burner adapted also to be moved by the variations of gas pressure and an igniting device so located with reference to the burner that when the latter is moved the gas may be ignited, substantially as described.

13. In an electric gas lighti ng apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe and burner, of a gravity valve normally closing the passage, said burner-being mounted upon said valve and the valve being adapted to be rocked by an operative variation of the gas pressure and an igniting device so located with reference to the burner tip as to ignite the gas when the burner is moved, substantially as described.

14. In an automatic gas controlling apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a coverless receptacle or tank mounted upon said pipe and adapted to contain a liquid seal, and an inverted cup movably mounted in said tank and having a burner tube with a prolongation adapted to dip into the seal liquid and said cup being normally exposed to the gas pressure and having its edges also adapted to be submerged in the seal, substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with a supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted in said tank in an inverted position, a valve device carried by said cup and normally adapted to seal the gas passage and a burner tube 111011 n ted on said cup, substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the tlow of to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a coverless receptacle or tank mounted upon and communicating therewith, said tank being constructed to provide a marginal chamber to contain a seal liquid and a cup pivotally mounted on said tank and its edge adapted to enter the seal chamber thereof, a burner mounted on said cup and comm unicating with the interior thereof and a valve carried by the cup and adapted to close the gas passage. substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with the gas supply pipe, of an open tank or receptacle mounted thereon and having a marginal chamber adapted to contain a liquid seal, said chamber being of greater depth at one side than upon the other and a cup pivoted to said tank in an inverted position, the pivot being at the shallow portion of said cup and the edge of the cup and its pivot being adapted to be submerged in the seal liquid, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with the gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and providing a chamber to contain a seal liquid, said chamber being deeper upon one sidethan upon the other and a cup pivoted to said tank in an inverted position at the shallow portion of said chamber, a latching mechanism supported upon said tank at the deeper part of said chamber and the edges of the cup, its pivot and latching mechanism being adapted to be submerged in the seal liquid, substantially as described.

19. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with the gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to contain a seal liquid, a cup pivotally mounted on said tank in an inverted position, said cup having its vertical wall truncated and the pivot being applied to the shorter side of said cup wherebyit maybe moved by the gas pressure without lifting its edge above the seal, substantially as described.

20. In an apparatus for automatically controllingthe flow of gas to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a coverless tank or receptacle to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and a burner mounted upon said cup and having a prolongation of the burner tube adapted to dip into the seal liquid, substantially as described.

21. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank or receptacle mounted thereon and adapted to contain a liquid seal, and a cup substantially rectangular in form pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and'having a burner and valve mechanism connected therewith, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the How of gas to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon the tank in an inverted position, said cup having a pin upon its side opposite the hinge and a latching mechanism mounted upon the inner wall of the tank, said hinge, pin and latching mechanism being adapted to be submerged in the seal liquid, substantially as described.

23. In a pressure operated device for automatically controlling the flow of gas to bu rners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to con tain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and having a valve to control the flow of gas, a latching mechanism comprising a pin and a cam, one of which is carried by the tank and the other by the cup and said cam having a groove which is traversed by the pin, said cam being pivotally mounted and adapted to be moved upon its pivot by the pin when the cup is raised by the gas pressure and also provided with a seat to sustain the pin upon a decrease of pressure and adapted to be further moved upon a subsequent operative increase whereby the pin is carried out of its seat and the cup permitted to descend upon a decrease in the second operative variation of pressure, substantially as described.

24. In a pressure operated device for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and having a valve to control the flow of gas, a latching mechanism one member whereof is carried by the tank and the other by the cup and adapted to sustain the cup when the valve is open, and means for igniting the gas comprising a lighting device, a battery, a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein, and a circuit closer operated by the movable cup, said latching mechanism being adapted to permit the cup to move suiiiciently to close the electrical circuit upon an operative increase of the gas pressure sufficient to open the valve and to limit its movement upon a subsequent operative increase of gas pressure to prevent closing the electrical circuit, substantially as described.

25. In a gas lighting apparatus, the combi nation with a gas supply pipe and a valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of electrical means for lighting the gas comprising a lighting device, a battery and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, a break in the conductor, and a pressure operated circuit closer, and an auxiliary lighting device comprising a thief or by-pass for conducting a suflicient quantity of gas around the valve and to or in proximity to the burner tip whereby the lighting of the gas at the top may be effected when the valve is open, substantially as described.

26. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe, a burner and a valve for controlling the supply of gas to the burner, of an electric igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit, a circuit closer operated by variations of gas pressure, said igniting apparatus having electrodes by which ignition is effected, and means for separating the burner and electrodes after ignition is effected whereby the elcctrodes maybe maintained without the influence of the gas flame, substantially as described.

27. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe, a burner and a valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric gas igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit and a suitable circuit closer and said lighting device and burner being adapted to be brought into lighting proximity by an operative increase of gas pressure to effect ignition and to be separated upon a change of said pressure whereby the lighting device is without the influence of the flame during the maintenance of the light, substantially as described.

28. In an automatic means forlighting gas,

the combination with a gas supply 'pipe,

burner and valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric gas igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric clrcult, a suitable circuit closer operated by variations of gas pressure, and said lighting device and burner being normally separated and means for bringing them into light- 3 eeegwe ing proximity whereby to effectignition and the burner and lighting device being adapted IO to resume their normal relation after ignition, substantially as described.

J AMES SANGSTER. Witnesses:

CHAS. KNECHTEL, F. E. EUSTAPHIEVE. 

